Catalyst Project
A masterclass in creative problem solving and entrepreneurial action
for high school students
Next session ::: Winter 2025
Why a masterclass?
Imagine graduating high school having already patented a new idea, invented a new product or even launched a new business. With the advances in technology all around us – tools like rapid prototyping, crowd funding and, of course, artificial intelligence, these possibilities are within reach with the right know-how.
And that’s why we’ve created this masterclass.
This masterclass is more than a visit to your high school fab lab or intro to design thinking – though it is a wonderful complement to any other creative thinking or maker activities you’ve been involved with. Our difference is that we believe that creative action in concert with critical thinking is what’s needed next.
Program Highlights
Elite Masterclass Format. Engage in a curriculum designed like a masterclass with personal attention and tailored learning experiences.
Industry Expert Mentors. Learn from the best in business—our mentors are seasoned professionals and Stanford University graduates and adjuncts
Hands-On Innovation. From concept to prototype, students experience each phase of product definition, encouraging both creative and critical thinking.
Continued Development Opportunities. Post-masterclass, students can opt to extend their journey, refining their projects with the help of our experts, potentially leading to patent filings, product launches, or fundraising initiatives.
What you’ll learn
You will build your muscles in creative problem solving, exploration, and expression. Through an exhilarating one-week design sprint, students will dive deep into the world of creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking, guided by experts at the forefront of their fields.
You will work in small teams to select an unmet human need, explore possible solutions and prototype their way to a compelling new offering.
The week culminates in a presentation to real-world investors.
The showcase
You will walk away with a showcase that demonstrates your initiative, leadership and, of course, your creativity. You’ll have the building blocks to tell your story – how you identified an unmet need, searched for solutions to meet that need and then developed that solution into a working prototype, provisional patent, or the foundation for a new business.
This masterclass will serve as an exclusive springboard to your college admissions, university experience, and beyond.
The details
Qualifications: available to curious and engaged rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students
Timing: Winter session TBD
Location: IN PERSON at a Bay Area Peninsula facility, TBD
Tuition: $2,500
Deposit: $1,200 secures a seat and is fully refundable until July 1.
The masters
This masterclass is led by John Edson, a 30-year veteran of design and business, both in academic and commercial settings.
On the education side, John studied and taught at Stanford University where he helped a generation of students learn the methods that are the foundation of this masterclass. On the commercial side, John’s firm LUNAR was responsible for designing hundreds of winning products for companies like Apple, HP, Oral-B, ecobee and Illumina.
-
![]()
John Edson
PROGRAM DIRECTOR & CHIEF COACH
Founder, johnXdesign
Former partner, McKinsey & Company
Former President, LUNAR Design
Adjunct instructor, Stanford University
(Product Design Capstone, Design Methods, Visual Thinking)MS, Joint Program in Design, Stanford University
BS, Mechanical Engineering, The Universtity of Texas at Austin
-
![]()
Raj Doshi
ADVISOR & COACH
Director, India Program, Byers Center for Biodesign
Founder & CEO, Piper Biosciences, Inc.
Adjunct professor, Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford MS, MD
Inventor with 80 patents
-
![]()
Kim Saxe
SENIOR EDUCATION ADVISOR
Founding Director of the Innovation Labs at The Nueva School (design thinking, engineering, computer science, robotics, social entrepreneurship & entrepreneurship)
Created & taught the first design thinking program for pre-K through 12th grade (including a course at the d.school for graduate students)
Created & taught The Nueva Design Thinking Institute for teachers & administrators from around the world
Created and taught the Entrepreneurship Elective at The Nueva School - students applied design thinking to create their own ventures, pitching to venture capitalists at Stanford University
-
![]()
Alan Cook
ADVISOR
30 patents on products that have generated over $1 billion in sales.
Launched BrilliantPad on Shark Tank, the world's first self-cleaning dog potty that leverages advanced AI to monitor pet health.
Expert skills in multi-national supply chain, direct-to-consumer and retail sales, emotional branding, social marketing, management of virtual teams, patent prosecution and investor communication.
Guest lecturer at Northwestern, Penn, Wharton and MIT on the topics of product development and entrepreneurship.
Graduate of Jerome Fisher M&T dual-degree program at the University of Pennsylvania and Wharton School of Business.
-
![]()
Christopher Shen
ADVISOR & COACH
Managing Director at CBC Group
Director of Global Strategic Initiatives, Stanford Byers Center for BiodesignStanford
Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Stanford University
Stanford MD, MBA
